Saturday 15 May 2010

80/80 - Pop goes The Man with no Name

It's 1980 and Clint Eastwood, together with Merle Haggard is sitting at the NO 1 position in the country music charts. Merle Haggard also issued a solo version of the song, Bar Room Buddies but that only made No 2. And whilst it is true that Clint may not be much of a singer, it seemed that his box office pull extended to the record shops. The actor would also enjoy a similarly successful hit with his duet with Ray Charles, Beers to you from Any Which Way You Can.


Course Clint had previously sung on 1969's Paint Your Wagon, and he was known to be a pretty hot jazz pianist but for most fans his singing seemed a novelty - few knew of his forgotten 1959 album, Rawhide's Clint Eastwood, Cowboy Favourites or his many attempts to revive his musical career.

The album came about after Rowdy sung in Rawhide - episode 105, Incident of the Pitchwagon saw Clint climb onto a saloon stage and softly sing Beyond the Sun. During this period it was usual for leading actors to crash the top ten charts and Clint probably saw this as a chance to launch a second money-spinning career. He planned to tour the album, Cowboy Favourites, but in the end his workload on Rawhide and poor sales saw plans scuppered.

Clint didn't turn his back on his singing though and he relased For all we Know in 1961 and Rowdy, a song about his character in Rawhide, in 1963. But Clint was told by Kal Mann of Cameo Records that he would never make it big as a singer.


"I know," Clint said with a smile. 'But I'm going to make it big somehow."

Below I have reproduced the original cover notes from Cowboy Favourites:

FROM CAMEO RECORDS

The folk songs that truly represents a branch of American culture, is the western cowboy song. Ever since courageous Americans crossed the prairies, western songs have been popular. And there is no better prototype of that "cowboy" than Cameo/ Parkway's recording artist, Clint Eastwood, a "native" westerner and a "natural" performer.

ABOUT THE SONGS -- During the long watches of the dark night, as the cowboy rode around the milling herds, he sang colorful ballads and melodies. Alone with just the moon, the stars and the herd, the songs of the cowboy were often plaintiff, sad and emotionally moving.

He sang of his home, his girl, his land of dreams and his hopes for tomorrow. In the Cameo recording, Clint Eastwood presents an exciting song picture of the west - as it was. He vividly describes the life of the cowboy...he sings of their dreams, their sorrows and their joys. And, he sings this unique collection of "Cowboy Favorites" with an intimacy and style that marks him as a true show business "great."

TRACK LISTING -- On this hi-fi recording, listen to his outstanding performance as he sings: "Bouquet of Roses," "Sierra Nevada," "Don't Fence Me In," and "Are You Satisfied." Other folks classics equally outstanding are: "Santa Fe Trail," "Last Roundup," "Mexicali Rose," Tumblin' Tumbleweed," and "Twilight On The Trail." Included also are "Searchin' For Somewhere," "I Love You More," and "San Antonio Rose."

This album represents a collection of songs closely identified with the spirit of America. Here, then, Cameo/Parkway's talented vocalist Clint Eastwood, and America's most popular "cowboy favorites"...an unsurpassed combination that spells "entertainment."

...excerpt written by Cameo Records


CLINT EASTWOOD. NET has a selection of songs from this album in Realplayer files for streaming or download. HERE

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